Nominations now open for prestigious “Girl of Merit” award

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She's making strides to end bullying or raise awareness at her school. She's fundraising for a cause while juggling sports and academics. She's a mentor, a volunteer, an innovator—or all three.

For a limited time only, readers have the opportunity to nominate a local Girl of Merit: a girl between the age of 10 and 18 working to make a difference in her community. Last year's award winners included: Zoe Heath, who founded her school's Gay-Straight Alliance, Molly Hewitt, who raised funds for Hurricane Harvey victims by hosting bake sales, and Mya Karinchak, who convinced her town to put up signs prohibiting smoking at local parks—and fine anyone caught doing so.

Winners will be announced and featured in the newspaper, and receive awards during the Tri-State Girls World Expo, a one-day event for teen and tween girls returning October 21st to Palacio Catering and Conference Center in Orange County, NY.

Girls World Expo is free with advance registration, and features a wealth of fun and educational programming for girls, including: